WHEN Minister Michael D. Higgins pulled out of Tuesday's launch of the plans to celebrate cinema's 100th Birthday, the Film Board's Lelia Doolin stepped into the breach. The party, which was held appropriately enough in the Irish Film Centre, was full of mostly back room film people, including distributors, producers and sponsors of the many and varied events. These include outdoor screenings, cafe events, travelling newsreel shows and exhibitions.
The celebrations are sandwiched between two extravagant shindigs - the Party of the Century on April 20th and the hugely popular Film Ball in December.
One of the best received announcements of the night was the establishment of a scholarship honouring film maker Tiernan MacBride.